March 16, 2016- Jinx Morgan- IST The Story of Diva and Flea by Mo Willaims, illustrated by Tony Diterlizzi (2015)
A charming chapter book about a French street cat (Flea) and a privileged Parisian dog (Diva) who make friends and share adventures. It all ends very happily ever after. The illustrations are tres belle.
March 7, 2016 - Helen Hageman - International School of Luxembourg The war that saved my life by Kimberly Bradley
March 7,2016
Withering-by-Sea: a Stella Montgomery Intrigue by Rossell, Judith (November 2014)A Victorian fantasy-adventure, perfect for fans of Wildwood, Lemony Snicket and Tensy Farlow (Ages: 9+) High on a cliff above the gloomy coastal town of Withering-by-Sea stands the Hotel Majestic. Inside the walls of the damp, dull hotel, eleven-year-old orphan Stella Montgomery leads a miserable life with her three dreadful Aunts. But one night, Stella sees something she shouldn't have ... Something that will set in motion an adventure more terrifying and more wonderful than she could ever have hoped for. Has won more than 5 awards in Australia in 2015.
March 7, 2016 Nadine Rosevear, ISB Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson
From Publishers Weekly: The thrill of a budding interest in roller derby meshes with the changing friendships and all-around uncertainties of adolescence in Jamieson's rousing graphic novel. It's a story that moves as quickly as the athletes at its center, and Jamieson's clean, bright illustrations are equally successful at capturing roller-derby action and her characters' emotional highs and lows.
March 7, 2016 Babs Albury Keystone Academy Nomination: I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai 2014(is that ok?)
I feel this is a book that all students in older primary should read as this young lady is truly amazing in what she has accomplished in her short lifetime.
Babs , this books was already on the 2015-2016 list for Older Readers. (comment from Nadine)
March 7, 2016 - Danny Hilleson, IST Nomination: Somebody on this bus is going to be famous by J.B. Cheaney This is perfect for reluctant readers. Nine middle school students are travelling on a bus that starts stopping at a new place, even though there's never anyone there to pick up. The students on the bus have their own secrets and things they need to work out for themselves. Each character is given their own section of the book where they share their problems and dreams which makes reading not so daunting for less experienced readers. Enough mystery and intrigue to keep readers hooked.
March 8, 2016 - Tim Gardes, ISB
Nomination: The Astounding Broccoli Boy by Frank Cottrell Boyce This British title is showing up on a lot of 'Best of 2015' lists. It's been described as "an irreverently funny adventure from the Carnegie Medal winning author of Millions..." It has the added bonus of appealing to boys.
Nomination: The Imaginary, by A F Harrold March 7, 2016 - Bonnie Elsayed CISB I Just finished this one over the weekend, and it's another that I couldn't put this book down. It celebrates imagination, in a more mature story. It's creepy, and a page turner that the kids will love. Very well written chiller.
1 March 2016 - Marjan Slaats - Dulwich College Shanghai
Book: The day my father became a bush – Joke van Leeuwen
Pub Date: 1 March 2014 (in English – translated from Dutch)
Why I nominate this book: with all the refugees from the current wars in the news this book offers a undercooled, funny, and sometimes heart breaking insight in the life of a child refugee.
Short summary: Toda’s father had to go to fight in the war, leaving Toda with her grandmother. Her parents are divorced, and her mother lives in the country of the enemy. One day Toda is sent to stay with her mother but many things go wrong and land Toda in baffling adventures. Suitable for Middle Readers, but actually good for all ages (as good books tend to be).
(This was already on a the Older Readers Panda List 2014-2015. Comment by Jinx Morgan)
Nomination: Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan February 24, 2016 - Bonnie Elsayed CISB
I couldn't put this book down. The story spans the first half of the 20th century, connecting the stories of children from different cultures, lifting sad stories with a magical element, bringing them to a satisfyingly happy ending. Set amid important historical events, it is sure to inspire interesting discussions.
Nomination: The Thing about Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin January 26, 2016 - Betsy Woolley, DAIS
I haven't read the book, but it has excellent reviews and is on several "Best Book" lists.
Twelve-year-old Suzy Swanson wades through her intense grief over the loss of her best friend by investigating the rare jellyfish she is convinced was responsible for her friend's death.
[Tim Gardes, ISB: Just finished The Thing About Jellyfish. It should definitely be considered but I suggest for the "Older Readers" category. A coming of age tale firmly set in the middle school years which probably wouldn't fully resonate with "Middle Readers" age group.]
[Jinx Morgan, IST: I just read it also and I agree it would be better on the Older Readers list. The main character's deep depression dominates the tone of the book.)
Nomination: Stanford Wong Flunks Big-Time by Lisa Yee January 26, 2016 - Betsy Woolley, DAIS
Have not read the book, but am nominating it on the basis of starred reviews, boy appeal, humor, and China connection.
Stanford Wong is having a bad summer. If he flunks his summer-school English class, he won't pass sixth grade. If that happens, he won't start on the A-team. If *that* happens, his friends will abandon him and Emily Ebers won't like him anymore. And if THAT happens, his life will be over. Soon his parents are fighting, his grandmother Yin-Yin hates her new nursing home, he's being "tutored" by the world's biggest nerdball Millicent Min--and he's not sure his ballpoint "Emily" tattoo is ever going to wash off.
Nomination: My Life as a Gamer by Janet Tashjian
January 19, 2016--June Miles, SCIS-Pudong Shanghai
I recommend this book for all boys grades 3-8. I am certain they will enjoy it and it will be read by many reluctant readers. It has some comical insight as well--certain to be a very popular choice.
Nomination--Enormous Smallness: The Story of e.e. cummings by Matthew Burgess January 19, 2016- Kristen Billings, Dulwich College Beijing
I recommend this lovely picture book biography is a great introduction to the life and work of one of America's more interesting poets. cummings grew up in a loving home, surrounded by nature, both of which inspired him and activated his imagination. He started writing poetry at age 3 and his mother would write it down. Beautiful illustrations and text.
Enormous Smallness: A Story of E. E. Cummings by Matthew Burgess, ill. Kris DiGiacomo (Enchanted Lion): The title of this book (Enormous Smallness) is perfect. Many of us think of poems as small things, but as much as anyone, E. E. Cummings showed us that even the smallest stanza could hold enormous meaning. Lovingly written (Burgess is himself a poet) and ingeniously illustrated, this book is a treasure for both fans of Cummings, as well as those discovering his poetry for the first time.
Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt
January 19th 2015,Kimbra Power, Shanghai American School
I recommend the book Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt as an amazing read for Middle, Older and Mature readers. Gary D. Schmidt (Lemonade Wars, Lemonade Wars, Lizzy Bright and the Buckminster Boy, Okay for Now) is a master story teller and writes with incredible character development.
Orbiting Jupiter tells the powerful,and often heartbreaking story of a young boy, Joseph. Readers are taken on an empathetic journey with the family who take Joseph in as their foster child and the story is brilliantly told, mostly through the eyes of his foster-brother, Jack, a 12 year old.
This would make a fantastic read-aloud for Upper Elementary and beyond. You will not be able to put this book down. See these links for details:
The Story of Diva and Flea by Mo Willaims, illustrated by Tony Diterlizzi (2015)
A charming chapter book about a French street cat (Flea) and a privileged Parisian dog (Diva) who make friends and share adventures. It all ends very happily ever after. The illustrations are tres belle.
March 7, 2016 - Helen Hageman - International School of Luxembourg
The war that saved my life by Kimberly Bradley
March 7,2016
Withering-by-Sea: a Stella Montgomery Intrigue by Rossell, Judith (November 2014)A Victorian fantasy-adventure, perfect for fans of Wildwood, Lemony Snicket and Tensy Farlow (Ages: 9+) High on a cliff above the gloomy coastal town of Withering-by-Sea stands the Hotel Majestic. Inside the walls of the damp, dull hotel, eleven-year-old orphan Stella Montgomery leads a miserable life with her three dreadful Aunts. But one night, Stella sees something she shouldn't have ... Something that will set in motion an adventure more terrifying and more wonderful than she could ever have hoped for. Has won more than 5 awards in Australia in 2015.
March 7, 2016 Nadine Rosevear, ISB
Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson
From Publishers Weekly: The thrill of a budding interest in roller derby meshes with the changing friendships and all-around uncertainties of adolescence in Jamieson's rousing graphic novel. It's a story that moves as quickly as the athletes at its center, and Jamieson's clean, bright illustrations are equally successful at capturing roller-derby action and her characters' emotional highs and lows.
March 7, 2016 Babs Albury Keystone Academy
Nomination: I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai 2014 (is that ok?)
I feel this is a book that all students in older primary should read as this young lady is truly amazing in what she has accomplished in her short lifetime.
Babs , this books was already on the 2015-2016 list for Older Readers. (comment from Nadine)
March 7, 2016 - Danny Hilleson, IST
Nomination: Somebody on this bus is going to be famous by J.B. Cheaney
This is perfect for reluctant readers. Nine middle school students are travelling on a bus that starts stopping at a new place, even though there's never anyone there to pick up. The students on the bus have their own secrets and things they need to work out for themselves. Each character is given their own section of the book where they share their problems and dreams which makes reading not so daunting for less experienced readers. Enough mystery and intrigue to keep readers hooked.
March 8, 2016 - Tim Gardes, ISB
Nomination: The Astounding Broccoli Boy by Frank Cottrell Boyce
This British title is showing up on a lot of 'Best of 2015' lists. It's been described as "an irreverently funny adventure from the Carnegie Medal winning author of Millions..." It has the added bonus of appealing to boys.
Nomination: The Imaginary, by A F Harrold
March 7, 2016 - Bonnie Elsayed CISB
I Just finished this one over the weekend, and it's another that I couldn't put this book down. It celebrates imagination, in a more mature story. It's creepy, and a page turner that the kids will love. Very well written chiller.
1 March 2016 - Marjan Slaats - Dulwich College Shanghai
Book: The day my father became a bush – Joke van Leeuwen
Pub Date: 1 March 2014 (in English – translated from Dutch)
Why I nominate this book: with all the refugees from the current wars in the news this book offers a undercooled, funny, and sometimes heart breaking insight in the life of a child refugee.
Short summary: Toda’s father had to go to fight in the war, leaving Toda with her grandmother. Her parents are divorced, and her mother lives in the country of the enemy. One day Toda is sent to stay with her mother but many things go wrong and land Toda in baffling adventures. Suitable for Middle Readers, but actually good for all ages (as good books tend to be).
(This was already on a the Older Readers Panda List 2014-2015. Comment by Jinx Morgan)
Nomination: Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan
February 24, 2016 - Bonnie Elsayed CISB
I couldn't put this book down. The story spans the first half of the 20th century, connecting the stories of children from different cultures, lifting sad stories with a magical element, bringing them to a satisfyingly happy ending. Set amid important historical events, it is sure to inspire interesting discussions.
Nomination: The Thing about Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin
January 26, 2016 - Betsy Woolley, DAIS
I haven't read the book, but it has excellent reviews and is on several "Best Book" lists.
Twelve-year-old Suzy Swanson wades through her intense grief over the loss of her best friend by investigating the rare jellyfish she is convinced was responsible for her friend's death.
[Tim Gardes, ISB: Just finished The Thing About Jellyfish. It should definitely be considered but I suggest for the "Older Readers" category. A coming of age tale firmly set in the middle school years which probably wouldn't fully resonate with "Middle Readers" age group.]
[Jinx Morgan, IST: I just read it also and I agree it would be better on the Older Readers list. The main character's deep depression dominates the tone of the book.)
Nomination: Stanford Wong Flunks Big-Time by Lisa Yee
January 26, 2016 - Betsy Woolley, DAIS
Have not read the book, but am nominating it on the basis of starred reviews, boy appeal, humor, and China connection.
Stanford Wong is having a bad summer. If he flunks his summer-school English class, he won't pass sixth grade. If that happens, he won't start on the A-team. If *that* happens, his friends will abandon him and Emily Ebers won't like him anymore. And if THAT happens, his life will be over. Soon his parents are fighting, his grandmother Yin-Yin hates her new nursing home, he's being "tutored" by the world's biggest nerdball Millicent Min--and he's not sure his ballpoint "Emily" tattoo is ever going to wash off.
Nomination: My Life as a Gamer by Janet Tashjian
January 19, 2016--June Miles, SCIS-Pudong Shanghai
I recommend this book for all boys grades 3-8. I am certain they will enjoy it and it will be read by many reluctant readers. It has some comical insight as well--certain to be a very popular choice.
Nomination--Enormous Smallness: The Story of e.e. cummings by Matthew Burgess
January 19, 2016- Kristen Billings, Dulwich College Beijing
I recommend this lovely picture book biography is a great introduction to the life and work of one of America's more interesting poets. cummings grew up in a loving home, surrounded by nature, both of which inspired him and activated his imagination. He started writing poetry at age 3 and his mother would write it down. Beautiful illustrations and text.
Enormous Smallness: A Story of E. E. Cummings by Matthew Burgess, ill. Kris DiGiacomo (Enchanted Lion): The title of this book (Enormous Smallness) is perfect. Many of us think of poems as small things, but as much as anyone, E. E. Cummings showed us that even the smallest stanza could hold enormous meaning. Lovingly written (Burgess is himself a poet) and ingeniously illustrated, this book is a treasure for both fans of Cummings, as well as those discovering his poetry for the first time.
Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt
January 19th 2015,Kimbra Power, Shanghai American School
I recommend the book Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt as an amazing read for Middle, Older and Mature readers. Gary D. Schmidt (Lemonade Wars, Lemonade Wars, Lizzy Bright and the Buckminster Boy, Okay for Now) is a master story teller and writes with incredible character development.
Orbiting Jupiter tells the powerful,and often heartbreaking story of a young boy, Joseph. Readers are taken on an empathetic journey with the family who take Joseph in as their foster child and the story is brilliantly told, mostly through the eyes of his foster-brother, Jack, a 12 year old.
This would make a fantastic read-aloud for Upper Elementary and beyond. You will not be able to put this book down. See these links for details:
Common Sense Media
Kirkus Review